Knoxville, TN, Is a Sports Lover’s Dream
It’s not a secret that Knoxville, TN, is known for sports. Yes, University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville athletics leads with its signature orange, but college sports are just the beginning of what this East Tennessee area has to offer. Plus, growth is happening across the industry.
“Sports provide a sense of community,” says Ryan Alpert, UT deputy athletics director of championship resources and chief revenue officer. “It’s a rallying point for people from every walk of life and background, with diverse communities coming together to be entertained. Whether you’re a Tennessee alum, a fan or a person who is new to Knoxville, there is something for you to do and be a part of when it comes to sports.”
Knoxville, TN, Loves UT Sports
UT alone provides events across the sports spectrum, and its various teams are having tremendous success. In fact, during the 2023-24 school year, all 20 sports teams at UT reached the postseason for the first time in school history.
Additionally, the UT baseball team won its first national championship, while the men’s basketball team and women’s softball team captured Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season titles. As a result, Tennessee won its third consecutive SEC All-Sports title, giving fans plenty to cheer about.
“What we focus on is creating a wonderful entertainment experience for fans, be it football or softball or soccer or whatever sport,” Alpert says. “The entertainment value that sports bring and the rallying opportunities they provide are a huge part of the community within this region.”
UT Developments Coming Soon
UT’s sports success is allowing the university to enhance the fan experience with facility improvements as well as the creation of a new entertainment district.
UT is pouring nearly $500 million into upgrading several of its sports venues, led by a three-year, $337-million project to update the football team’s historic Neyland Stadium, which opened in 1921. Plus, a $95 million improvement project is taking place at UT baseball’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
More fun is on the horizon for fans, thanks to the future Neyland Entertainment District. The 175,000-square-foot development will be located between Neyland Stadium and UT’s basketball arena, linking the two facilities and providing fans with entertainment and retail options throughout the year – not just on game days.
“As many people as there are who go to the games, there are millions beyond who are still looking to be entertained and feel that energy and passion and sense of community that comes with sports,” Alpert says. “The entertainment district is going to be a multifaceted development with a hotel, a condo complex and restaurants. While it will be used for sporting events, it will also be a 365-day-a-year asset for the overall community.”
Sports Beyond UT in Knoxville, TN
Beyond UT athletics, there are pro sports to enjoy in Knoxville, TN, as well. The Knoxville Ice Bears are part of the Southern Professional Hockey League, offering 28 home games each season plus the playoffs. The team has won the Presidents Cup championship four times since 2006.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Smokies baseball franchise has been providing summer entertainment for Knoxville sports fans for more than a century. The team currently is the Double-A franchise for the Chicago Cubs, one of the most popular major-league teams in the country.
“There is a gap during the summer months when there isn’t much going on in sports, so it’s a perfect time for us to play and give people something entertaining to do,” Smokies President and COO Chris Allen says. “We reap the benefits of having so many sports fans in the community who want to have something to watch.”
The Smokies are another team taking part in the sports building boom sweeping Knoxville, as they will begin playing downtown in the new $114 million Covenant Health Park in 2025. The facility will also be used by the One Knoxville Sporting Club soccer team and for concerts and festivals.
“It’s going to be a community center for various sources of entertainment,” Allen says. “There are going to be restaurants and retail spots on the street just outside the entrance and condos and apartments behind the left-field wall. It’s going to help revitalize the Old City area. You can never go wrong with having multiple sources of sports entertainment in a community like Knoxville. People want to go out and be involved in those types of things.”